How to augment ancient items in Diablo 3

With new players joining the eternal battle of Diablo 3 every season, some might be put off by the learning curve that Diablo has. One of the most frequent questions asked is about Kanai’s Cube, and specifically how to augment ancient items.

Kanai’s Cube is an artefact that players can find in the world of Sanctuary which allows them to transform items, extract powers and convert materials.

How do I augment ancient items in Diablo 3?

1. Find Kanai’s Cube

1. Start a game in adventure mode
2. Open the Map (M) or step on a waypoint
3. Go to Act III > The Ruins of Sescheron
4. Navigate to the Inner Sanctum
5. Once you find the chamber containing the Cube, interact with it
6. When you teleport back to town, you will find the cube next to Zoltun Kulle

To start augmenting your gear, the first thing you need is the device which allows you to augment ancient items.

The Cube is a powerful artefact created by Zoltun Kulle and used by the Horadrim. As its corruptive powers became apparent, the Horadrim hid the Cube on Mount Arreat, entrusted to the Barbarians living there.

In its place, they created a less powerful artefact, called the Horadric Cube, which The Adventurer used in Diablo 2.

2. Gather the required materials to augment ancient items

1. Augment ancient and primal ancient weapons: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 30 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems
2. Augment ancient and primal ancient rings or amulet: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 40 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems
3. Augment ancient and primal ancient armour: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 50 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems

The three Flawless Royal Gems will determine the primary stat applied by Cladesann’s Despair:

1. Flawless Royal Ruby will apply strength
2. Flawless Royal Topaz will apply intelligence
3. Flawless Royal Emerald will apply dexterity
4. Flawless Royal Amethyst will apply vitality

Augmenting an ancient item will apply the main stat in addition to what the item being augmented already has.

Keep in mind that the gems will be consumed on each augment, so you will need a new legendary gem and 3 flawless royal gems for each subsequent augment you do.

Beware of the hidden cost of augmenting ancient items in Diablo 3. Whilst you will not need gold for the augmentation itself, you need to upgrade the gems to the top tier. This cost can add up when you’re just starting.

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3. Use the recipe to augment your items

1. Click on Kanai’s Cube
2. Click on the book icon
3. Use the arrow buttons to scroll to page 10
4. Place the materials in the Cube
5. Click on Transmute 

The item will be returned to your inventory and you will see an extra stat appear in the description. Keep in mind that if you re-augment an ancient item, it will replace the previous augmentation.

4. Augment ancient items when needed

Once you gain access to item augmentation, you will be tempted to augment often. You can do your first round of augments when you have the legendary gems available, afterwards, you will want to do it every 10-15 levels of the legendary gems.

Naturally, this pace will slow down as you go past legendary gem level 60, and from here you can do it every 5 levels or so, depending on how many mats you have available.

The legendary gem you use for augmentations does not impact the final result. The only thing to take into account is the level of the legendary gem used, as each level will add 5 points to the main stat added to the final item.

Diablo is a game that has become synonymous with the ARPG genre. It is a series that is still thriving, with new players joining the eternal conflict regularly.

If you’ve just started playing Diablo 3 and you need some help getting around, sound off in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to help you out.

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